IGCSE Information and Communication Technology (9–1) 0983 · Topic 10

Communication: past paper questions

5 real questionsasked in 3 of the last 10 exam series2021–2022usually: Describe, Explain

Real questions on communication

The newest 5 of 5 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.

0983/11 · October/November 2022 · Q11a[4]
Describe four other disadvantages of using mail merge. Due to data protection laws, personal data should be kept confidential and secure.
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0983/12 · May/June 2022 · Q14a[2]
Explain what is meant by the term spam.
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0983/12 · May/June 2022 · Q14b[6]
Describe the ways that a user can recognise spam and methods to help prevent it.
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0983/12 · May/June 2021 · Q9[14]
Neptune 14 165 Y 1.21 Gas Giant 1846
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0983/12 · May/June 2021 · Q12a[4]
Describe the disadvantages of using a search engine to find information rather than typing in a web address.
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What examiners said

The stem of the question stated that one of the disadvantages was that the receptionist would have access to personal data; some candidates missed this and gave this as an answer. Others wrote all four answers about personal data. Most answers related to the security of the data or the cost/expertise/difficulty of using mail merge. Some candidates recognised that emails could be sent to the wrong...
— Examiner report, October/November 2022, 0983/11 Q11(a) (Cambridge)

The term ‘spam’ was often correctly described though few achieved both marks. Most responses achieved at least one mark either by stating junk mail or including advertising.
— Examiner report, May/June 2022, 0983/12 Q14(a) (Cambridge)

Many candidates achieved marks for clearly describing ways of recognising and methods to prevent spam with many achieving over half marks.
— Examiner report, May/June 2022, 0983/12 Q14(b) (Cambridge)

Practise this topic

Answer these questions online and get each one marked against the official mark scheme, with what you missed and how to fix it.

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In the syllabus

1 0417.10.1.01 — Characteristics, uses and constraints of email communication including acceptable language, guidelines set by an employer, the need for secu

Characteristics, uses and constraints of email communication including acceptable language, guidelines set by an employer, the need for security, netiquette, email groups, carbon copy (cc), blind carbon copy (bcc), forward, attachments
Characteristics and effects of spam email including the methods which can be used to help prevent spam

2 0417.10.1.02 — Characteristics and effects of spam email including the methods which can be used to help prevent spam

Characteristics and effects of spam email including the methods which can be used to help prevent spam

3 0417.10.2.01 — Characteristics, uses, advantages and disadvantages of using the internet including the differences between the internet, an intranet, an ex

Characteristics, uses, advantages and disadvantages of using the internet including the differences between the internet, an intranet, an extranet and the World Wide Web (WWW), blog, forum, wiki, social networking Functionality including Internet Service Provider (ISP), structure of a web address, Uniform Resource Locator (URL), hyperlink, web browser
Use of search engine including speed of searching, amount of information, the speed of finding relevant information, ease of finding reliable information Evaluating the information found on the internet including how up to date, reliable, biased and valid this information is Internet protocols including HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP), HyperText Transfer Protocol secure variant (HTTPS), File Transfer Protocol (FTP), Secure Socket Layer (SSL) Risks of using the internet including inappropriate and criminal material, restricting data through parental, educational and ISP control

4 0417.10.2.02 — Use of search engine including speed of searching, amount of information, the speed of finding relevant information, ease of finding reliabl

Use of search engine including speed of searching, amount of information, the speed of finding relevant information, ease of finding reliable information Evaluating the information found on the internet including how up to date, reliable, biased and valid this information is Internet protocols including HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP), HyperText Transfer Protocol secure variant (HTTPS), File Transfer Protocol (FTP), Secure Socket Layer (SSL) Risks of using the internet including inappropriate and criminal material, restricting data through parental, educational and ISP control

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